AUSTIN, Texas (February 1, 2012) – Residents of Austin have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in a historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). CPS-3 will enroll a diverse population of 300,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico. The opportunity for local residents to enroll in CPS-3 is being made possible in partnership with St. David’s Episcopal Church and the Texas Medical Association during February 29, March 1, 4 and 6. Eligibility and enrollment details for Austin can be found at cps3AustinDT.com. To access other Texas enrollment sites visit cps3hp.org.

CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. “Currently, there are no other studies of this magnitude in the US that enable researchers to look at various racial and ethnic populations and cancer risk,” stated Mark Clanton, MD, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division. “We commend our partners, St. David’s Episcopal Church and the Texas Medical Association, for taking the lead to offer their sites for participants to enroll in this critically important study.”

“TMA has supported the cancer community for more than 20 years,” said Texas Medical Association President C. Bruce Malone, MD, an orthopedic surgeon from Austin. “We are asking our member physicians to talk with their patients about this landmark study. It will allow us to explore new and emerging hypotheses related to cancer. With physicians’ help, we can work toward eliminating cancer as a major health concern for future Texans.”

Enrollment in the study involves two steps. After scheduling an appointment, individuals will be asked to complete a comprehensive survey online that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to their health. Step two involves an in-person enrollment process which takes approximately 20-30 minutes and includes measuring waist circumference and collecting a small blood sample from participants. Upon completion of this process, the Society will send periodic follow-up surveys every few years to individuals to update their information and annual newsletters with study updates and results.

“We couldn’t let this opportunity pass us by,” said the Rev. David Boyd, Rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in downtown Austin. “All of our lives have been affected by this disease. Too many of us have lost a beloved friend or family member. As a church community, this is something proactive we can do. We can help make a difference in our lives, the lives of our children, and all the lives of those who come after us.”

“We need diverse populations to enroll in the CPS-3 study. Cancer has a difference impact on races and cultures, and the only way for scientists to know why is for research enrollment to include those races and cultures,” said Representative Eddie Rodriguez, of Austin.

Researchers will use the data from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950s that collectively have involved millions of volunteer participants. The Hammond-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-I, and CPS-II) have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and have contributed significantly to the scientific basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations. Those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, demonstrated the link between larger waist size and increased death rates from cancer and other causes, and showed the considerable impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions. The current study, CPS-II, began in 1982 and is still ongoing. But changes in lifestyle and in the understanding of cancer in the more than two decades since its launch make it important to begin this new study. The voluntary, long-term commitment by CPS-3 participants is what will produce benefits for decades to come.

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About American Cancer Society - High Plains Division

The American Cancer Society High Plains Division works to save lives and create more birthdays in communities across the states and territories of Hawaii / Pacific Islands, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Cancer News Now online newsletter provides news and information about the fight against cancer. The High Plains Division Communications Department provides regular updates to the blog. To contact us directly, please send an email to highplainsonline@cancer.org.